Angie’s Journey…

Hey buddies, I caught the end of a show on TLC (I think) called “Science of Obesity” tonight. There was a segment about Sumo wrestlers on it and how they gain their weight. One of the things that really stuck out for me was that they intentionally eat before they sleep. They do this because since the sugar made by their bodies (from the food) won’t be absorbed by muscles and used for energy during sleep–so the fat cells will pick it up. Thus, they gain weight.

I found this very interesting, because I’ve often heard that one shouldn’t eat before bed, but I didn’t know the exact science behind it. I’ll tell you what, it makes me think. I mean, lately, I’ve been saving up points so I could have a little snack before bed. But I’ve decided that is no longer an option. My feeling is that I need at least three hours of not eating before bed. So, back to the basics: I’m going to stop eating after dinner, even if I have points left.

Y’all know I’ve been struggling like crazy with the exercise thing. I tried a new work out yesterday, and I didn’t hate it. It was one of those walking workouts, where they say it’s like walking x amount of miles. I think it’s similar to “Walk Away the Pounds”, but it’s a different title.

The only bad part was that about fifteen minutes in, Sophie decided she wasn’t going to have it, so I had to stop to take care of her. LOL. Such is life. I may have to go back to the workout that includes the baby (FitFab Moms I think it’s called) just so I can actually get through it without Ms. Sophie getting upset. The funny thing is that she’s an excellent baby, but when she’s awake, she wants my attention if she can see me. LOL. I probably spoil her a little, but I don’t care. LOL. I did the same thing with her brothers when they were babies. I have this problem with letting a baby cry…I know, I know, I’m weak. But again…don’t care. I want them to feel loved and secure. So this is how I roll. LOL.

I’ve been staying OP and doing well with the diet portion of things, and have been adding little bits of exercise into my days here and there. I am really still focusing on getting the exercise thing up and running, because I know that I like to have exercised–I just hate actually doing it. I also know that will change, and that once I get going, I’ll hate NOT doing it, because exercise does make me feel good. I’m to the point now where I am feeling the need to move my body, which is a very good thing. I honestly think it’s because I’ve been giving this problem to the Divine for assistance, because I don’t know how else to do it.

Tomorrow is the Rockstar weigh in, and I’m anxious. Last week, I was three pounds away from my first mini-goal that I set after having the baby, and it would just make my day if I could meet it. Still, I’m not putting too much pressure on myself, because if I lose even one pound for the week, I will be going in the right direction. And technically, I shouldn’t be losing much more than one pound a week anyway, at least not on a consistent basis, because I’m breastfeeding. Still, I certainly won’t complain if the weight keeps coming off lol…Sophie seems to be doing great with the breastfeeding and is gaining weight. Plus, I’m eating much healthier than I would if I were NOT back to my healthy lifestyle (AKA diet).

Anyway, I won’t bore you any longer lol. I will keep you posted on tomorrow’s weigh in, and thanks for being the wonderful buddies you are.

xoxo

Angie

Well buddies, I have experienced a rather large amount of personal growth since starting BuddySlim. I’ve figured out the eating issues and stay on plan most of the time. I’ve remembered my writing passion and have started getting published again. (Huge, let me tell you!)

My self confidence is up, and I’m losing weight on a fairly steady basis. I have a lot more to lose too, but I’m not discouraged. I know that I can do this.

So what am I b*tching about? Well, lol, not much I guess. But here’s my issue. I cannot seem to get the intentional exercise thing. It makes me really angry at myself, because logically, I KNOW that it would be the perfect thing to help me get healthy faster, in the WL respect, as well as other respects.

So.

Here I sit, complaining about not exercising. It’s like this. I want to want to exercise. Does that make sense? I just really hate it lol…this is my inner fat girl apparently winning here.

So.

Now what? I am at a standstill on my personal growth journey, and it’s quite frustrating. I’m going to give this one to the Divine and hope something comes to me, because I’m at a loss.

Grr.

So, any ideas, a** kickings, and or encouragement would be appreciated. LOL.

Y’all rock. xoxo

Angie

Well, sort of anyway. I had an article published today online, and I talked about Buddy Slim in the article lol! If you want to read it, it’s here:  http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/774669/safely_lose_weight_while_breastfeeding.html

Anyway, other than that, I’m doing ok. I ate after dinner tonight and used a couple of my breastfeeding points, so I’m a little disappointed in myself. I’ve decided to avoid the extra ten BF points that WW allows, so using a couple was not exactly my plan. However, instead of continuing to eat needlessly, I’d get on here and blog to y’all. LOL. I am doing my best to forgive myself and move forward. I started to tell myself I’d get back on track in the morning…but then I stopped myself. I said, no, I don’t have to wait till the morning to start. I can start RIGHT NOW. I’m back on plan as of THIS MOMENT.

Let me tell you folks, it was an internal battle that you can probably imagine all too well. Think angel Angie on one shoulder, devil Angie on the other.

But I did it. Am doing it. I’m here instead of forraging the kitchen for a one point snack. LOL.

So, thanks y’all for the support, and here I am blogging it out instead of packing it in. Wow.

Y’all know how I always say Buddy Slim is free therapy? Well…here’s proof. LOL. It’s just as good as being able to phone a completely non judgemental and open minded friend, who is totally there for you. It’s a very, very good thing. (Imagine me saying that in my best Martha Stewart voice.) LOL.

Well I’m feeling a little silly tonight apparently. I’m guessing it has something to do with the lack of sleep. LOL.

I hope you’re all having a peaceful and healthy evening.

xoxo

Angie

Happy Sunday Buddies. I just did my weigh in, and I’ve lost two more pounds. I know it’s a good thing, but somehow I almost feel disappointed lol. Those four pound weeks feel so much more satisfying somehow. Haha. But I know I can’t lose four pounds EVERY week, and if I did, it would be unhealthy for my breastfeeding daughter. But still…lol.

Even so, I stayed OP all week, dietwise. Even when my sabateur SIL tried to force a giant piece of double layer, icing filled chocolate chip cookie cake on me. It smelled heavenly and looked better, but I knew it was evil. LOL. I stayed away…and then she offered me Reese’s cups. Still, I stayed strong. I think she’s trying to sabotage me. I really do. She SAID, “Oh, wow, you look great!” But then she kept offering me crap to eat, over and over again. Like blatantly.

I resisted like a rockstar though lol.

I’m still not doing much in the way of exercise, at least not anything that I’m doing specifically for the sake of exercising. I can’t seem to bring myself to do it. But here’s an interesting point…today I am down to what I weighed prior to getting pregnant with Sophie, and reading old blogs tells me that this is the same point I was at when I got pregnant on the weight loss front–and the personal growth front. I had lost the same amount of weight, had figured out the eating thing, and was struggling with the exercise thing.

So.

It’s time now for new personal growth. I can no longer rely on lessons learned in the past, I now have to take it to the next level. I’ve relearned my old habits, the good ones, with eating, but I didn’t really have any great, or consistent, exercise habits before. So, here we go.

This week, my new goal is to figure out a way to add more physical activity into my day, including at least fifteen minutes of intentional exercise. Again. I just have to take the first few steps, and then I know I can get there. Baby steps is what worked for me getting on track with food. Now, I’ve just got to figure out this exercise crap. LOL. It’s really tough for me for some reason, I’m guessing because I hate exercise lol.

Ok, I am going to close this before I write a book. I think I am going to have to meditate on this one for awhile, try to figure it out. I need to stop saying I hate exercise, stop dreading it so much.

Gah.

Ok buddies lol…I’m out.

I hope you are all having a wonderful and healthy day.

xoxo

Angie

Hey buddies, things are good today. I’ve written and submitted one article so far. I’ve had coffee with a friend, and hung out with my kids. I’m getting ready to start dinner, and feeling generally good.

Oh, I found a way to reduce points lol…a new way. Normally, for lunch, I have something like a sandwich on whole wheat bread (the heart-healthy kind with added fiber). I usually put turkey or chicken on it, and sometimes sprouts, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. Veggies, meat, bread. I don’t do cheese or mayo because I feel like it’s not worth the points lol.

So one of these sandwiches costs me three points, and it’s worth it because it’s filling and yummy. However, I picked up some whole wheat pita pockets last time I was at the grocery store, and since they have four grams of fiber, 1/2 of a pita costs me only one point. The lunch meat I use costs me one point, and the veggies are free. So…I’ve found a way to have a relatively satisfying lunch or snack for only two points. Woot. LOL.

Also, I’ve found that the WW Giant Latte Icecream Bars (one point!!) are absolutely YUMMY!!! Of course I’m a coffee freak, sooo that could explain. But it doesn’t have fake sugar (which I hate) and it really tastes very much like the Starbucks coffee icecream. It rocks. LOL.

Other than that, my exercise is still a thorn in my side. I’m not officially working out even now, even though I’m moving a lot more than usual. I need to find a way to work it in folks. I know it will help me to get the weight off faster and will help me to keep it off with less trouble, and I also know that it will make me more physically healthy over all. Plus, I’m sure it won’t hurt my shape a bit. LOL. So, I know all these things.

Why then, do I find myself NOT exercising?? Ack. Ok buddies, does anyone know of a workout or specific exercise that focuses the midsection? Since I’ve had my daughter, I’m thicker there than before, and I don’t like it. I don’t have any rolls or anything (thank goodness) but I am thick. My saving grace used to be my small waist, and if you view me head on, I’ve still got that curve, but from the side…not so much. LOL. Sooo any advice would be genuinely appreciated.

Hope you’re all having a fabulously healthy day!! xoxo

Angie

Hey buddies,

Here I am at 12:27 am blogging!! LOL! This is crazy. Well, here’s what’s been going on. I’m writing for a new website, and so far have two articles published and two more purchased and getting ready to be published. The writing thing is going great, I’m loving it. Imagine getting my passion on! LOL!

I’m feeling more secure in myself, more sure of myself. I’m recognizing the person I am and realizing that I’m alright. LOL. Pretty cool, if I do say so myself. I know it sounds like I’m gloating, and I don’t know, maybe I am. But the thing is, this is something new for me. I’m beginning to get balance in my life, slowly. I’m doing something I love (and getting paid for it!) and still managing to be home with my kids. I can work around them and their schedules (and believe me, I do!!), and still make a few bucks on the side.

Anyway, on the diet front, things are fabulous. I’m consistently on plan, taking care of business, so to speak lol. Taking off the breastfeeding points doesn’t seem to be a huge problem for the most part, and I’m feeling better every day.

The exercise thing is still a bit of a struggle, but as with the diet thing, I’m doing baby steps. I’m moving more, standing more. I’m parking farther from the stores and walking with my baby girl. It’s not much, but it’s a start. I’m getting there.

BTW, if anyone knows any belly slimming ideas, pass them my way. I see it going down, I see my clothes getting looser, but I want to reshape a bit after having three kids…sooo…hit me, buddies. Tell me what works for the belly, eh?

LOL.

Anyway, forgive my rambling, I’m exhausted and my eyes are beginning to unfocus. Oh, and if anyone’s interested, here’s the links to my blog and my articles:

My blog: http://angieatkinson.blogspot.com/

Articles (this link takes you to my page, scroll down to see current published content): http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/208791/angela_atkinson.html

Anyway, I apologize for not having been around the last couple days. I know I can’t forget about y’all, and about Buddy Slim. It’s what keeps me on track. In fact, I mentioned BS and my buddies in one of the articles the site bought, which should hopefully be published in the next few days. And I’ve got another article in progess which will be almost entirely dedicated to BS and what it’s done for me. I’ll share the links with y’all then if you like.

Thanks again for your wonderful support. I could not be doing any of this without you amazing people. Hope everyone is having a healthy day!!

Love and hugs,

Angie

Morning Buddies,

I’m feeling my Rockstar self today buddies. LOL. I did my weigh in this morning and lost four pounds this week!! Yay. I guess getting rid of those extra breastfeeding points was a good thing.

I’m pumped. I’m only five pounds from my mini goal, and then it will be time to set a new one.

Now I have to thank you all for the exercising butt kicking I got yesterday lol. I know I need to do it, and I know the weight will come off faster if I do it. I just need to get off my butt and do SOMETHING intentional. So today, my goal is to do some form of exercise for fifteen minutes.

It’s a start. Maybe I’ll take the kids for a walk or something. I will figure it out.

Anyway, the day is already getting busy so I’m going to head out of here and get moving. I hope you are all having a happy and healthy day!!
xoxo

Angie

Hey buddies,

Today, it’s completely gorgeous outside. Perfect weather, not too hot, not too cold. Can’t complain one bit. Hubby is cleaning the gutters today, I am venturing into the evil grocery store with Miss Sophie, who will be (hopefully) happily riding along in her sling.

I ran some errands yesterday, and have been doing great on my diet. It has occurred to me on more than one occasion that if I get off my butt and work out on a regular basis, it will speed my weight loss considerably. In fact, doing so NOW would make it even faster since I’m already burning an extra 500 calories per day with breastfeeding my daughter.

Here’s the problem. I HATE, and I do mean hate, exercise. I’ve always been a more intellectual type. I think I’m going to have to just suck it up and get it going. Even if it sucks. Let me also say this: I love HAVING done exercise, I just don’t like doing it. LMAO. I know, I know, it’s stupid. But there it is folks.

So buddies…I need your help. I need to know what kind of exercise y’all do, and how do you get motivated to do it? What works for you? I also need a serious kick in the pants to get me going…any and all help will be appreciated.

LOL.

Thanks in advance for the proverbial ass kicking. Hope you are all having a wonderfully healthy day!!

xoxo

Angie

Good morning buddies! I’m beginning to see the light. I did a sort of “sneaky” weigh in this morning, even though it won’t be official until Sunday. And here’s the good news. I am now within five pounds of the weight I was before I got pregnant with Sophia. Granted, I was really not slim when I got preggo, but I had lost almost fifty pounds, so getting back to that point will be great. I’m also within seven pounds of my first new mini goal.

I’m feeling it. This whole getting rid of the breastfeeding points seems to be working. I’m glad, because it feels good to be getting things moving again. Of course, I will still have a lot more to lose once I reach that first new minigoal, quite a bit actually. BUT, every pound counts, and I feel like I’m going to do it this time. I want to point something out. There is absolutely NO WAY I would be on this track without you all here at Buddy Slim. This is the ONLY thing that has ever worked for me consistently, and I want to thank you all (and Dr. Marc) from the bottom of my heart! Y’all rock!!!

I know I won’t be getting pregnant again lol, and that’s the only thing that slowed me down last time. (My tubes are tied, woot!!)

My hubby is getting nervous again, lol, which I secretly enjoy. He sees me succeeding and makes comments to me like, “Oh, everyone’s going to want you now.” LMAO. I told him, “But honey, the only person I want to want me is you.” I think that helped a bit, but then he said, “But I already want you.”

Haha. It was affirming, but I am not doing this for him. I am doing it for me, and quite honestly for my kids. For the boys, I want to provide a good example as well as not be an embarrassment to them at school and with their friends. For my daughter, oh my it goes so much deeper than that. Not only do I want to provide her a good example, but I want to do whatever I can to help her avoid having weight issues as she gets older. I think it’s so difficult for girls, and I just want to do everything I can to help her stay healthy. One less thing the kids can be mean about I guess. (I feel the same way with my boys, but as her same-sex parent, I think it’s even more important that I get in shape. They say that the same-sex parent is the one the child is most likely to emulate, etc, so there we go.)

Anyway, I’ve been doing great staying OP, but I am struggling still with the exercise. I mean, I move and stuff, but that whole intentional exercise thing has consistently been a problem for me, so hopefully I will get on track there soon. I guess I need to come up with some small steps to get started, just like I did with the diet thing. Baby steps…

I’m going to have to think on that one awhile.

Anyway, I hope you’re all having a wonderfully healthy day. Hugs!

Angie

Hey buddies…I have a slightly non-weight loss story to share with you today, but it’s motivating in a different way. I think as we try to lose weight and get to the place we want to be physically, we also need to be focusing on the inside. We need to decide that we ARE worth it, and do whatever is necessary to help us learn to accept ourselves for who we are, for what we want to become. We need to learn to love ourselves. This is something I’ve worked hard to instill in my three children, and I think my boys are well on their way. My daughter is only a baby, almost six months old now, but somehow as a woman, I feel a different sort of connection with her than I do with my boys. Not any stronger, or more significant, but different.

So I’ve always read to my kids, even as little babies, and today I was having a discussion with my daughter. (Yes, I know she can’t talk back, but I feel like she somehow understands, even if not the words, the emotion.) Anyway, I was telling her about this poem I’ve always loved, by Maya Angelou. I found the poem in a book of Ms. Angelou’s poetry that I bought on a women’s retreat several years ago, and it’s since been my very favorite one. I think that most women can relate to it, and while I know we have some male buddies here on BuddySlim, I am dedicating this particular blog to the women here.

Ladies, we have to realize how amazing we are. I know, I know it sounds like I’m just blowing sunshine up your butts (lol, that’s a term my dad used when I was a kid), but the truth is, we as women are truly unique and beautiful. I challenge you all to make a point to find something beautiful about yourselves today, and to look at the people and things around you, and notice their beauty. You will be surprised how this can change our attitudes.

Share it with your mother, your daughter, or any other woman you think needs to recognize how amazing she really is.

I want to share the poem with you all, and I hope that you read it and REALLY feel it. It has always made me feel, well, phenomenal. I hope it does the same for you! (PS, I am staying on plan and doing great on that front lol!)

PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I’m not cute or built to suit a model’s fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I’m telling lies.
I say
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It’s the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can’t see.
I say
It’s in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It’s in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That’s me.

Hope you are all having a super healthy day!! xoxo Angie